Analysis of the environmental transformations of a wetland subject to drainage reclamation. The “Schiavetti-Cavana” protected natural area (SAC IT3330007 “Cavana di Monfalcone”, Province of Gorizia), a relic of a wetland surviving the intensive drainage reclamation activities, represents the northernmost coastal wetland in the Mediterranean area. This peculiar environment hosts the last remnants of springs (“olle”) and the only resurgence river in the Monfalcone municipality, the river “Cavana”. The aim of this work is to perform an historical analysis on the current landscape origins, useful to support the development of management strategies consistent with the site’s conservation purpose. Four main historical moments were identified and compared: pre-reclamation, reclamation, failure of reclamation in the Cavana area and the most recent phase characterized by the spontaneous shrub encroachment in herbaceous wetland vegetation
